Student Speak

Summer 2006

Name: Justin Cooper
Class: Junior
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Kingstree

As a psychology major, why did you decide to take a religion class [Religion 491] about Dan Brown's novel The DaVinci Code during May session? I read the book last summer, and I was ready to take a class that was interesting, instead of a class that I had to take. This course gave me a chance to do that. It's a class that I really wanted to take and learn more about material that I'm interested in. The class is an elective for me. If the University offers the class again, I'd suggest that people take it. It's a really interesting class.

Did you enjoy the book? Yes, I did. I was planning on reading Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown, too, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

What have you learned so far? Basically, we've been reading the book. Beyond the book, we've been looking at the different landmarks and the different people, historical figures, and what's the meaning behind certain words that the author uses.

The novel has generated a lot of controversy among religious groups. What was your opinion of the book? I have to admit that at first I found it kind of shocking. I'm Christian, and looking at everything, I did find the premise of the novel [that Jesus and Mary Magdalene marry and have a child] controversial. But at the end of the day, it's just a book, and the author said it himself: you have to take it as a novel and as a work of fiction. The author does include historical facts, which is true, but it's also his take on the facts to make it an interesting novel. But, at the end of the day, I just took it as a fictional novel, and that was it.

Are you planning to see the movie? Yes, we're going as a class.

What do you hope to get out of the class? A better understanding behind the different meanings of the book. We're also learning about different Christian beliefs and other religions and how it all came together and how it melded into what we know today. We have people of different religions in the class; so, it's been good just to hear their take on the story and what they believe in and how different religions interpret the novel. It's been a really good learning experience. I've really enjoyed the class.

What have you liked best? I just enjoy the input that everyone has put into the class. It's not so structured. Everyone is allowed to give his or her opinion. It's just a very open class. It's really good. It's good to hear other people and what they believe in.

Have you taken a May session class before? No, this is my first time. We're in class for a couple of hours, but it's really not so bad. It's an interesting class. I like the people and the professor.

Any plans yet on how you'd like to use your psychology degree? I want to go to med school; so, I want to work either in emergency medicine or become a psychiatrist.

5/06